Seagulls (Gulls) - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

The word “seagull” actually refers to over 50 different species of birds in the family Laridae!

Scientists call seagulls just “gulls,” because many of them live far from the sea, in cities, lakes, even farms!

A group of seagulls is called a “colony” when nesting and a “flock” when flying together!

The smallest seagull species is the Little Gull, weighing only about 120 grams (about as much as a baseball)!

The largest seagull species is the Great Black-backed Gull, which can weigh up to 2.3 kilograms (about as much as a pineapple)!

Seagulls belong to the order Charadriiformes, which includes other shorebirds like plovers and sandpipers!

Adult seagulls can live between 20–30 years in the wild, and some have lived up to 49 years!

Baby seagulls are called “chicks,” while young seagulls that have left the nest are called “juveniles”!

Male gulls are sometimes called “cocks” and females “hens” — but most people just say “male gull” or “female gull” instead.

Seagulls can drink both fresh water and salt water because they have special glands that filter out the salt!

The oldest known seagull fossil is about 30-35 million years old!

Seagulls (gulls) can be found on every continent, including Antarctica!

Most seagull species (types) are considered omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals!

A seagull’s wingspan can range from 60 centimeters to 1.7 meters (that’s about as wide as a kid is tall)!

Seagulls can use the wind to appear as if they’re hovering in place, especially when looking for food!

The scientific family name for seagulls, “Laridae,” comes from the Latin word “larus,” meaning “gull”!

Seagulls are clever birds that can solve problems, use tools, and even recognize people’s faces!

Some gulls fly thousands of miles every year, and in a long life, they can travel over 100,000 km — depending on how much they migrate!

Gulls have been flying into stories and art for centuries — like in 14th-century Welsh poems and Shakespeare’s plays!

Most seagulls cruise along at 15–28 mph (around 22 mph (35 km/h)), and some even blaze ahead at 35 mph (56 km/h) when they need to zoom!

Physical Characteristics

Bird skeletons — including those of seagulls — make up about 6–8 % of their body weight. Their bones are hollow and super strong to help them fly!

Seagulls can close their nostrils while diving underwater to catch fish!

Most seagulls have white bodies with gray or black wings, but some species can be all white, mostly gray, or mostly black!

Seagulls have special oil-producing glands that help keep their feathers waterproof!

A seagull’s beak has a small hook at the end that helps them grip slippery food like fish!

Seagulls have three eyelids: one for blinking, one for sleeping, and one for protecting their eyes while diving!

Behavior & Intelligence

Seagulls can recognize and remember individual human faces for many years!

Seagulls stamp their feet on the ground to imitate rainfall, which tricks earthworms into coming to the surface!

Seagulls work together in groups to distract larger predators and protect their colony!

Seagulls communicate using over 20 different types of calls and body movements!

Seagulls perform an elaborate courtship dance that can involve head-tossing, choking displays, and mewing calls!

Seagulls can use tools, such as dropping hard-shelled prey onto rocks to crack them open!

Seagulls take turns standing guard while others in their colony rest or feed!

Seagulls can sleep while floating on water!

Seagulls can learn the schedules of human activities, like when fishing boats return or when schools have lunch breaks!

Seagulls can catch food in mid-air while flying!

Seagulls often return to the exact same nesting spot year after year!

Seagulls can drink salt water and process it through special glands near their eyes!

Seagulls can walk, swim, and fly with equal skill!

Seagulls are social birds that often live in large colonies. They can learn about food sources by watching other gulls and may follow them to find tasty treats.

Seagulls engage in cooperative parenting, with both parents caring for their chicks!

Seagulls are expert hunters — they can swoop down from the air and catch fish near the water’s surface, but they don’t dive deep underwater like some other birds.

Seagulls are clever hunters. They can swoop through the air like acrobats, catching flying insects mid-flight, especially when there’s a big bug party in the sky!

Seagulls can sleep with one half of their brain while keeping the other half alert for danger!

Seagulls use the direction of the sun and landmarks to navigate during migration!

Habitat & Survival

Seagulls can be found from sea level up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) above sea level!

Seagulls build nests on cliffs, islands, rooftops, beaches, and sometimes even on floating plants!

Some seagulls migrate thousands of kilometers each year — sometimes flying as far as 7,000 km (4,300 miles) on their journeys!

Seagulls can adapt to living in urban environments and have learned to use human structures for nesting!

Seagulls can survive in both Arctic and tropical climates!